You have to lose weight and you are not sure of the next step, but you have really been thinking about trying some kind of diet pills. If this is you, you’re not alone. According to a recent study almost 50% of adults (mostly women) consider diet pills for their weight loss solutions. Over 25% of teenage girls are using diet pills to lose weight.

So, do diet pills work?

If you have this idea that diet pills are going to be the quick fix for weight loss, then I have some REALLY bad news for you – not only are diet pills ineffective in losing weight permanently they can also KILL you! It’s important to remember that healthy lifestyle changes are the only safe and proven methods for weight loss.

In case you haven’t really noticed, Americans are getting more and more over weight. Recent statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that about one-third of the population is overweight.

But, do diet pills work?

So if you are determined to lose some weight, then don’t turn to diet pills. Ignore all the hype that you might see on tv and read in magazines that are plastered with biased articles promoting diets pills. Stop reading magazines…..this is a topic for another time.

You will not feel very good when taking these diet pills and some of the side effects are nothing short of scary and in some cases life threatening.

The Scary Side Effects of most diet pills!

Heart Palpitations

High Blood Pressure

Dizziness

Blurred Vision

Headaches

Insomnia

Anxiety

Depression

DEATH

So, you think that you want to take these diet pills to look more attractive? If you want to take diet pills to look more attractive you better forget it! Dietary fat blockers found in many of these pills can cause gas, diarrhea and uncontrollable bowels. Diet pills can also cause dry skin and hair loss from the vitamin deficiencies. So attractive right????

Hello……Do diet pills work though?

Does it really matter? The truth is that there is many conflicting studies as to whether or not these actually work. That’s a topic for another time. My question to you is, are you willing to put your health at risk for something that at best will make you feel like crap?

So the answer to “do diet pills work”? Who cares!

The trend of superfood is picking up day by day. There are so many delicious superfoods available in the market today that one can get confused as to which ones to buy and why to buy them. We all have the common goal to keep heart diseases, cholesterol, and cancer away and to live a hale and hearty life. There are some superfoods that are easily available that can help us in our endeavor, superfoods like blueberries, fish, soy, beans ,tea and dark chocolate can be our first line of defense.

Blueberries are high in vitamin c and potassium, but did you know it has antioxidants and phytoflavinoids in it also? These amazing properties of Blueberry can lower the chances of heart disease and cancer and also reduce inflammation. Inflammation is one of the propagators of chronic diseases. Doctors prescribe at least half a cup of blueberries everyday. The darker the color of the blue berries the more antioxidants it has. Those who cannot get their hands on fresh blueberries need not feel dejected as frozen blueberries pack the same punch as the fresh ones.

Fish is a popular superfood. The Omega 3 fats found in it are found to be very beneficial for a healthy body and mind. Omega 3 fats can lower heart disease risk, help those suffering from arthritis, and might help people with Alzheimer’s and memory loss. There is new evidence that shows that it can reduce depression also. Two to three servings of Fish per week is ideal for a healthy life. If you are adverse to the idea of fish as a source of Omega 3 fats you can try superfoods like Walnuts, Flax seeds and fortified eggs. Since all these superfoods are rich in monosaturated fats they can help those people who want to lower their cholesterol level.

Soya is another food that can reduce cholesterol. It was found that soy fibers have the power to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood; the only catch is that the goodness of soy can only be found in products like soy milk, tofu or edamame not with soy powder items like soy sauce. Soya also has some Omega 3 fats in it.

Beans are perhaps the most varied of all the superfoods. There are many types of beans and legumes that are good for a healthy body. The beans are high in fiber so they reduce blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy level of cholesterol. The best thing about beans is that since they are fiber rich they help in weight management. The beans are a good source of potassium and folic acid and they are rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants. For vegetarians beans are the prime source of Protein.

Tea, especially green tea has become a rage in recent times because of its amazing health benefits. The number of antioxidants in black tea and green tea are the same, but green tea has something special, green tea has the antioxidant ECGC. This antioxidant can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Tea also lowers helps lower the cholesterol levels according to new studies. For the best benefit, tea should be had without milk.

Perhaps the most delicious of all superfoods is the dark chocolate. Packed with antioxidants, healthy minerals and mood-boosting compounds such as PEA, chocolate is a boon for those who believed that health food does not taste very good. The more the cocoa content in the chocolate, the better it is for health so chocolates with 60% cocoa and above are the best. Milk chocolates with sugar, milk, additives, hydrogenated fats, agro-chemicals and solvents are not what the doctors recommend. If you are in no mood for chocolates then you can get similar benefits from cocoa.

If you want to live a long and healthy life, then the superfoods mentioned above should be a part of your daily diet, after all prevention is better than cure.

Fish in your diet can lead you towards a healthy life. Fishes are low in fat and in calories and at the same time, they are rich is Omega 3, the cholesterol reducing fatty acids. The American Heart Association has recommended at least 2 servings of Fish, every week for a healthy heart.

The question that comes to mind is that, are all fish equally good for you? The answer is no. Large fishes that are predatory in nature can be damaging to the human body as they have high levels of methylmercury. So fishes that are lower in the food chain are better for health.

Salmon is the most cherished of all the fish varieties, delicious to have and easy to cook, its strong flavor has made it a preferred choice of all fishatarians. The Salmon has the highest quantity of Omega 3 fats than any other fish. If you have doubts about eating the farmed salmon fishes you can try canned salmon fishes, the canned fishes are usually wild salmon.

Tuna is a staple at most dinner tables. Its easy availability as canned or fresh meat increased its popularity. Though some varieties of Tune fishes have suspicious mercury levels, one serving a week can be easily consumed without fear. Sardines are also a favorite fish; they are not only high in omega 3 they also have substantial amounts of calcium in them. People are skeptical of the sardines’ canned-in-water, but they are so healthy that give more nutrition than the same amount of canned tuna.

The Tilapia is another favorite of the fishatarians, this fish has a very mild flavor and is very low in fat, but it is full of good protein. Shellfishes like Lobsters, Shrimps, Oysters and Crabs make an interesting addition of the variety of healthy fishes. Lobsters, Shrimps Oysters and Crabs have always been associated with fine food; they are low calorie and low fat and thus are the perfect food to eat to lose weight. They should be eaten without any condiments to get the pleasure of their delicate flavors.

One of the best ways to get a good dose of Omega 3 is Japanese cuisine. The Sushi and Sashimi dishes are the most inspired means to have fish. Sushi is rice, flavored with vinegar served with cooked or raw fish. Sashimi on the other hand is a dish full of uncooked fishes slicked and served with condiments. Some unusual but healthy fishes are used in Sashimi, like the octopus, eel, roe, squid, scallop etc. usually you may not know how to eat them but you have ample choice in Japanese cuisine.

Fishes are a boon to the humankind, at the time when unhealthy food items have taken over the market, a fish based diet has the power to steer you towards a healthy life.

People often consider coffee as an unhealthy choice for a beverage because it has Caffeine in it. Although, it is a known fact that coffee is loaded with antioxidants, and numerous antibacterial and pain-relieving agents, there have always been doubts about the beneficial properties of coffee. However, now, there are studies that throw light on the positive side of coffee.

Studies show that coffee can reduce the chances of diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Just one cup a day, can significantly reduce the chances of anyone ever getting Parkinson’s. The chemical adenosine has been classified as the chief cause of Parkinson’s. The Caffeine present in the coffee can counter the chemical adenosine that destroys brain cells.

Caffeine in coffee can also make a person think faster, especially when doing tedious tasks. For those who are sleep deprived, coffee can increase their extent of cognitive tasks, improving their memory, decision making, learning, and attention. Caffeine also perks up the mood of such people as it provides them with the burst of energy they need. For this very reason coffee is the best thing to take when suffering from jet lag, you can take coffee as a measure to stay awake at the times when you feel jet lagged. You can take 1 cup of coffee for every 2 -3 hours, starting from breakfast and discontinuing 4 - 6 hours before sleeping.

Anyone, who is regular coffee drinker, knows that coffee can make the bladder active; this characteristic of coffee is often considered a problem by most people. However, it is not really so, due to this very aspect, coffee can prevent the formation of kidney stones. Because of the Caffeine, the bladder becomes active and less diluted urine is discharged, this reduces the chance of a kidney stone. Women who drink the most coffee per day have the least chances of a kidney stone.

Caffeine is not the only good thing about coffee; it is also considered a beverage rich in antioxidants. The antioxidants like chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid help reduce the chances of Diabetes type 2 by helping in the delivery of Insulin to the tissues, thus Insulin resistance is less likely. If a woman drinks 3 cups of coffee per day then she can reduce her likelihood for diabetes by 20 – 30 percent.

If you are into muscle building then coffee is a boon for you; muscle pain caused by exercise can be significantly reduced if you drink one 16 ounce cup of coffee just before the workout. Coffee can not only help build muscles, but it can also help build strong teeth. The antibacterial compounds found in coffee fight the bacterium Streptococcus mutan that is the main cause of tooth decay. Coffee has other antibacterial agents that don’t allow the harmful bacteria to stick to the enamel of the teeth. Studies are still going on to check, if coffee can reduce the occurrence of cavities.

For ideal health and to get the most out of the benefits of coffee, doctors recommend 3 cups of coffee, each approximating 8 ounces per day.